Friday Facts - Bread

If you were to look up the definition of bread, you might find one or more of the following:

* Food in general, regarded as necessary for sustaining life
* Something that nourishes, sustenance
* Means of support

If we then look to the Bible for the significance of bread we might find similar definitions. However, and this is the part I love, bread is used as a symbol for finding nourishment for our souls, for our hearts, for our minds. So, if we take the above definitions and apply them in a Biblical manner, we would get something like this:

* Jesus - one that is necessary for sustaining life
* Jesus - one who nourishes our souls, our hearts, our minds
* Jesus - a means of support and uplifting for us in times of need

John 6:32-40 tells us,"Jesus therefore said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world. They said therefore to Him, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you, that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

Another reference to bread that speaks to this is found in Matthew 4:3-5, "And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

While we need bread to support our physical bodies, we must also feast on the "bread of life" in order to feed and nourish our souls, to prepare our hearts and minds for heaven. While bread may support our bodies and provide assistance in sustaining our earthly lives, it is the "bread of life" or our Lord, that provides the nourishment for our eternal life. With that promise, how can we help but spend time "feasting" on God's Word?